Try not to get emotional as you read about this
incredibly rewarding volunteering opportunity.

You’re basically able to become a granny/grandad
or an auntie/uncle to some truly special babies fighting for their lives in
Neonatal Infant Care Units (NICUs) all across the country(USA).

These poor babies are born with a drug
addiction, but lots of love and snuggles from volunteers just might be the
prescription for healing. Unfortunately, drug addiction rates are rising around
the country, which is resulting in an increase of neonatal abstinence syndrome,
where the child inherits the mother’s addiction in the womb.

As a result, they require a lot of extra care
when they are born, as they are going through an excruciating process of
withdrawal. As noted earlier, however, specially-trained volunteers may just be
the answer to saving these babies’ lives.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
reports that incidents of NAS have increased 383% in the United States since
2000. That’s almost quadruple!

That’s why these cuddle care programs have
popped up across the country to help babies born addicted to opioids. The
volunteers are a welcome respite for the already-overwhelmed nurses.

Pennsylvania nurse Jane Cavanuagh knew she had
to do something to help as substance-abuse rates soared in her home state. So,
she started a volunteer program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

“These babies going through withdrawal need to
be held for extended periods,” she explains. “They need human touch.”

Maribeth McLaughlin, chief nursing officer and
vice president of Patient Care Services at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC in
Pittsburgh couldn’t agree more. She also oversees a group of cuddle volunteers
at Magee, who help soothe at-risk babies who can’t soothe themselves.

From what she’s seen, it works. McLaughlin
reports that, on average, babies in withdrawal who are held often require less
medication and go home sooner than babies who aren’t.

“[Cuddling] is helping them manage through these
symptoms,” she says. “They are very irritable; they are hard to console. This
is about swaddling them and giving them that comfort and safe, secure feeling.”

If snuggling babies sounds like something you
want to be a part of (I mean, really, who wouldn’t?) then you’re in luck. Most
states now have some form of cuddle care program in place, and a quick Google
search should help you narrow down programs in your area.

Be sure to SHARE this great idea
with your family and friends.

This post was republished from wimp.com You can
find the original post here.